Best way to get rid of a phobia?

Question

I have a problem of meeting people and getting really nervous, it can get so bad that I nearly be vomit! Where can I get help? It there any website that can give me advice?

Answer 1

I know it sounds harsh, but you just need to keep confronting it. Try 'baby steps'. Bit by bit you will build your way up to getting there in the end. It's difficult, but it's the only real way to get over a phobia. Good luck!

Answer 2

First of all I must say that i empahtise with your situation. Having a phobia is not eaasy and especailly social phobia. But havig said that i must tell you that you are not alone. Moreover, this can be overcomed.

I am going to suggest 3 ways which aare used clinically. The first is behaviorial therapy. Basically, this involves exposure to the phobia which in this case is being in a social situation. If I were your therapist, I would use desentisization. This mean taking baby steps progressively. Start with imaging that you are in a party with lots of poeple. Rate your anxiety for that out of ten. IF it is high say more than 7, keep doing it till you feel it reducing to about 3 to 4. The next step is to be go to a small gathering wiht someone you feel totally comfortable with. If your anxiety for that is high, keep doing it till until you feel ok with being in a small group. Then the next step would be to go for a bigger group and so o so forth. This way you are slowly desensitizing yourself.

The next therapy which is also done concurrently with the first one above is called cognitive therapy. the assuption is that the pphobia is made worse due to your cognitions or thoughts. The therapy is to identify this thoguhts and challenge them. For example, if you always think that if i am in a social situation, people will laugh at me or you might do something stupid etc....this thoughts are not rational and you must challenge them. Ask yourself why would you do something stupid. Have you ever done anything like that before. Tell yourself that you have the ability and skills to participate in this situation. This of course is jsut an example, your thoughts might be different. That is why i will suggest to see a psychologist near your town. He will guide you through this process.

Finally the last therapy would be some social skill trainig and relaxation exercises to reduce the impact of any anxiety that you feel when facing in these sitautions.

I hope that this provides some useful information. Remember that all the therapy i have mentioned are sone cincurrently to get the best benefits. Search the web for support as well. I am sure you can find lots of people who have been in the same situation as you have.

Cheers

Answer 3

Counselling might help, and so do the suggestions to meet people deliberately.
The trick is to do it in baby steps, as someone else suggested. Sit down and think it through so that you can split the big fear into its component parts then expose yourself, perhaps with a friend with you at first. Start with the least frightening part (perhaps saying hello to a stranger, then walking on.)
The idea is that body and mind become desensitised to experiences. For example, I have been on a course where once a day, for three days, some of us put on blindfolds and earmuffs to simulate deaf blindness. The first time was the worst, when we just walked out of the room and along the corridor. I was really scared. Yet on the last day we went out into the town, walked along the pavement, and crossed a road, completely unable to see and with only a little hearing, putting our lives in the hands of someone we hardly knew.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy uses these techniques and your doctor will be able to recommned someone.

Answer 4

I was the same, if it's still in print, try to get a book called Hypnothink. It tells you that you should go to the place you're most relaxed, sit or lie and imaging a bar of white light slowly scanning up and down your body. Relax all the muscles the light touches, do this for about 15 minutes, and when you're relaxed imagine you're meeting people and holding a conversation. If any negative thoughts creep in go back to the relaxation exercise for a few minutes. Eventually the events that made you stressed won't. It's a good book, got lots of tips.

Answer 5

hyponosis is one way of confronting your phobia and defeat it. why don't you talk to people at work, on the streets, on your way to and from work? i understand why it can be hard for you- if you still find it difficult, then may i suggest that with a close friend or family member of whom you get a long with that you get them to talk you through the stages of talking and having a decent conversation. the two of you should go to bars, clubs and converse. i was just like you when i was child, so don't worry about it. talk about your family, your upbringing, hobbies, music, football, things that you enjoy, anything and everything!

just went on the web and discovered that you can order a hyponosis cd called overcoming fears and phobias. also try selfconfidence.co.uk. i wish you the best of luck!

Answer 6

I was hypnotised and now I'm not as nervous of spiders. I think you need to relax there are some great ways of doing this. I get nervous and I stammer alot! The best way to sort this I find, is control your breathing and try to relax. I know it's hard to understand but it's worth doing. You need a confidence boost it sounds like!

Answer 7

Make yourself. talk to people. you meet every day. just saying hello, nice day. nice weather. work up to conversations. go join a club. where you can talk with people. of the same interests. read some positive thinking books like by Napoleon Hill. tell yourself over and over that I am not afraid of anyone, I am a man who is not afraid. positive reinforcement.I was very shy as a child, but I reprogrammed myself, and have been a successfull salesman , you can do it, keep trying. you will get there.

Answer 8

the only way to get rid of a fear is if you confront it. maybe you can try going to a museum with insects and stand around the butterflies and moths [even is theyre dead ones]. then if you know someone who can catch butterflies or moth...touch one and hold one. i tried holding a live tarantula...i swear i was going to CRY! but i do feel more comfortable around spiders.

Answer 9

i always tell my kids 2 face there fears my 12 year old prob is the dark we r getting there get sum help go 2 your doc's they will put u in touch with a help group gd luck xx

Answer 10

im similar, though not as bad. i'm never sick but sometimes i feel sick.
this year i decided i need to get over it. so basically anything that makes me uncomfortable i do it. sometimes it takes a while and i have to talk my slef in to it. it sounds stupid but it is getting better, im still a shy person but its not as bad.
hoping it will get better too :)

good luck, i hope things get better for you :)